Sport

Billericay boss demands a response from his players after Harrow loss

BILLERICAY Town boss Craig Edwards has called for an immediate response from his side after he was left “hurting” after their second-half performance against Harrow Borough.

The dejected boss watched Town go down 1-0 to the hard working Londoners on Monday but said it was the manner of his team’s display that was most disappointing.

He added they would need to improve if they had ‘any chance’ of beating title favourites Margate at the weekend.

“It hurt me big time,” said Edwards, who praised Town's first-half performance in which they had a goal questionably ruled out for offside. “The way we were lumping the ball forwards was shocking and not how we play football. I have been here five years and not once have I told them to play like that and I told them that afterwards.

“I said to them they let themselves down as people and footballers afterwards and it was down to them to put it right on Saturday.

“I didn’t know where it came from and it was totally out of the blue.”

A first half goal saw Billericay slump to their second defeat of the season, when a win would have lifted them to the league’s summit, ahead of this weekend’s clash with Margate, with rivals East Thurrock United visiting New Lodge on Bank Holiday Monday.

And Edwards said the Margate clash was a big test of his side’s play-off credentials.

“Everyone in the league knows Margate have very strong financial backing and, as such, they have been able to put together a very decent squad.

“Saying that we are a handful and away from home will give anyone a game. And they will know that.”

Edwards also praised the new Monday evening scheduling of Town’s games, despite the loss against Harrow.

“I thought it worked well for us. There was a good crowd (302 in total) and, although it comes soon after Saturday matches it is the same for both teams.

“We were still running off the adrenaline from Saturday and I thought it worked in our favour.

“We hope it continues to prove popular with the fans and we will improve on performances such as Monday’s without doubt.”